Consumer Packaged Goods

Integrated Demand Planning in the Middle Eastern Retail Market

June 11, 2012

Rizwan Asim, head of procurement and supply chain with SSC Al-Suwaidi Holding Co., discusses how integrated demand planning is helping Middle Eastern retailers to cope with a market boom.

Improving Returns Is Biggest Opportunity for Retailers to Increase E-Shopping Satisfaction

June 8, 2012

UPS

While 86 percent of consumers are satisfied with the overall experience of shopping online, e-tailers still have significant opportunity to improve customer satisfaction and their competitive position by making the process of returning or exchanging items easier, a new comScore study shows.

Commitment to America Said to Take Center Stage as Manufacturing Sector Growth Continues

June 8, 2012

ThomasNet.com

Buoyed by growth and confident in their futures, American manufacturers are laying out an agenda for restoring their industry to its earlier glory, according to results of ThomasNet.com's newest Industry Market Barometer (IMB). Overwhelmingly, they are pushing to revitalize the American manufacturing sector by creating jobs at home, doing business with U.S. suppliers, and expressing pride in the quality of products that are "Made in America."

Watch Out for 'Gotchas' in Outsourcing Contracts Because They Are About More Than Price

June 7, 2012

Outsourcing Center

Negotiating a good outsourcing agreement involves much more than just achieving the pricing you desire. As you go through the process, you will go through the normal "give and take" discussions as you work with your potential provider(s). However, it is important that you do not focus solely on pricing.

Camstar Issues Cloud-Based Tool to Aid in New-Product Introductions

June 7, 2012

Camstar Systems Inc.

Camstar Systems Inc. has released the NPI (New Product Introduction) Accelerator for manufacturers. The tool is intended to help users design, test and speed up the NPI process.

Online Retail Will Be Main Driver in Developing Distribution Space in Europe, Report Finds

June 6, 2012

CBRE

The major expansion of internet retailing is expected to be the biggest driver of activity in the European logistics market - and the need for distribution space - in the coming three years, according to a survey conducted by global real estate advisor CBRE.

Electronics Factory Uses RFID to Manage Assembly of Cisco Circuit Boards

June 6, 2012

RFID Journal

Electronics manufacturer Jabil has been applying radio frequency identification tags to some of the printed circuit boards assemblies (PCBAs) that it manufactures for Cisco Systems. As a result, according to B.J. Favaro, Cisco Systems' supply chain manager, and Bill Hajje, Jabil's global process manager, the firm has improved the efficiency of its production process by approximately 80 percent, benefiting both companies.

The Changing Role of the Business Forecaster

June 4, 2012

SupplyChainBrain

There are two major challenges that companies face today in forecasting, says Bob Leonard, vice president of sales with Forecast Pro. One is the push to drive down to more detail, including smaller time buckets. The other is the need to treat forecasting as an analytical task, instead of just clerical work.

What It Takes to Be New Market Leader in Commercial Vehicle Industry

June 1, 2012

Ernst & Young

Six mega trends have been identified that will significantly impact the revenues, costs and profitability of the commercial vehicle industry as demand for trucks and buses evolves with globalization, technology development, regulation and emerging market growth, according to a report from Ernst + Young.

Vast Majority Feel Customs Delays Hinder Management of Their Business, Study Finds

May 30, 2012

Livingston International

More than 80 per cent of small- to mid-sized businesses are concerned about customs delays impacting their ability to properly manage their business - yet nearly a third say they tend to ignore the myriad of changes to government regulations and hope for the best when transporting their goods across international borders.